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Research has been conducted on the ecology of several bacterial species. The study has been carried out in determining whether the species abundance could be related to seasonality, and the results are reported.

Research has been conducted on bacteria of gamma-subclass Proteobacteria. The hypotheses that these bacteria are assiociated with zooplankton in the environment and that the composition of zooplankton-associated bacterial communities is the sane or different from that of water column have been tested, and the results are reported.

Quantification of the α-subunit of ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) through PCR is an established technique for estimating the abundance of ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) in environmental samples. This study quantified AOA with two established primer sets in 1 cm increments from the sediment surface (0-1 cm) to a depth of 10 cm at two locations within Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Australia. Primer choice had a significant effect on within sample estimates of AOA with copy numbers ranging from 10 2 to 10 4 copies per ng DNA. Variation in AOA abundance patterns with increasing sediment depth were site and primer specific. Sequence mismatches between the primer binding region of the isolated amoA sequences from PPB and Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCM1 were identified and may explain the high variation identified between primer estimates. Our results highlight the need for testing multiple primer pairs that target different regions of the AOA amoA sequence prior to large-scale marine sediment environmental studies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report on experience using the anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) to treat severe and therapy-refractory uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)., Methods: Retrospective data were gathered from patients with JIA receiving TCZ treatment for uveitis. JIA and related uveitis data (disease onset, activity, structural complications, and topical and systemic antiinflammatory treatment) were evaluated at the start of TCZ (baseline) and every 3 months during TCZ therapy., Results: A total of 17 patients (14 women) with active uveitis were included (mean age 15.3 ± 6.9 yrs, mean followup time 8.5 mos). In all patients, uveitis had been refractory to previous topical and systemic corticosteroids, methotrexate (MTX), and other synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including ≥ 1 tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor. Uveitis inactivity was achieved in 10 patients after a mean of 5.7 months of TCZ treatment (in 3 of them, it recurred during followup) and persisted in the remaining 7 patients. By using TCZ, systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressives could be spared in 7 patients. Macular edema was present in 5 patients at baseline and improved in all of them under TCZ treatment. Arthritis was active in 11 patients at the initial and in 6 at the final followup visit., Conclusion: TCZ appears to represent a therapeutic option for severe JIA-associated uveitis that has been refractory to MTX and TNF-α inhibitors in selected patients. The present data indicate that inflammatory macular edema responds well to TCZ in patients with JIA-associated uveitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disorder of increasing prevalence. Many ophthalmologic conditions are associated with AD, including cataract formation. Posterior and anterior subcapsular cataracts have been described in AD. Topical and systemic corticosteroids have been implicated in the development of cataracts. The precise pathogenic mechanisms and risk factors for development of atopic cataract are not clear., Observation: We report a case of cataract development in a child with severe AD and performed an extensive review of the dermatologic and ophthalmologic literature pertaining to AD and cataract formation. The incidence, demographics, pathogenesis, and characteristics of atopic cataracts are evaluated., Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis alone is a risk factor to develop both posterior and anterior subcapsular cataracts. There is a slightly increased probability of posterior subcapsular cataracts. However, anterior subcapsular cataracts are more specific to AD. A positive correlation was found between atopic cataract development and a decreased inducibility of superoxide dismutase. This suggests that atopic cataract development is correlated with oxidative damage of the lens and related to chronic inflammation.

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that has a multitude of clinical, histologic, and etiologic subtypes, all of which are of significance to the clinician., Objective: Ten of the most common and clinically significant subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma are presented to emphasize the clinical importance of each and to emphasize and contrast their differences., Methods: The literature of each subtype of squamous cell carcinoma is reviewed and capsulized., Results: Appropriate diagnosis, therapy, and postoperative management of all subtypes of squamous cell carcinomas are dependent upon the understanding of their unique characteristics., Conclusion: The 10 common variants of squamous cell carcinoma presented in this paper: neurotrophic squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, squamous cell carcinoma in transplant patients, keratoacanthoma-like squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, adenoid squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma, radiation-induced squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma, and Marjolin's ulcer, have unique etiologic, histologic, and clinical features that significantly influence their diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent management. It is imperative that physicians responsible for the care of these patients understand the implication of these unique characteristics.